Page 167 of Voices

Shit.

“I’ve gotta go.”

I leave Asher and I make my way back into the house. It’s stifling in here. With each body that I move out of my way, five more take their place. I’m starting to feel real, raw panic deep in my bones the longer it takes me to get through the house.

I shove a few more people and finally make it to the front door. Swinging it open and I take off in a dead sprint for my truck that I had to park two blocks away.

My heart is pumping loudly in my ears as I get closer. Once I reach my truck and open my door, I’m shocked when not only Asher but Matt and Ryder climb in too. Ash nods once before I put the truck in drive and fly to Charlie’s townhouse.

“Do we know anything? What happened or where he is?” Ryder asks from the back seat.

“No. I have no fucking idea what’s going on. Lily called crying saying Benji knows where he’s at and that he’s been taken care of. Whatever the fuck that means.”

“I’m going to kill that mother fucker with my bare hands,” Matt growls behind me.

“You and me both.” I catch his eye in the rearview mirror, all traces of being drunk have been replaced with anger.

Making it to the row of townhouses a minute later, I throw the truck in park and run to the doors. Entering the code, we’re stopped the second we step inside.

“Good evening gentlemen. It’s about time you showed up. That annoying girl in the office practically talked my ear off while I’ve been waiting for you.”

“Franklin Alexander.” I’ve never wanted to punch someone more than I do in this moment. “Where is he?”

He straightens the cuffs on his jacket, looking bored. “Who? That incompetent son of mine?” He looks me in the eye as he takes a step closer. “He’s gone. Never to step foot out of my sight again. I knew it was a mistake letting him come here. I thought if I’d let him get all this childish coloring out of his system, he’drealize working for me is the correct choice.” He stops less than a foot away. “That’s a mistake I’ll never make again.”

My fists are clenched so tight that my short nails are cutting into my palms.

“Where. The fuck. Is he?” I ground out through my teeth.

He steps forward, meeting me toe to toe. “Gone.” His brown eyes hold no remorse. No guilt. “It’d do you well to forget he ever existed. Wouldn’t want him holding you back from a career in the NHL.”

Asher growls as Franklin steps around me and comes face to face with him. Ash towers over him and if looks could kill, Franklin would be lying on the floor right now.

Franklin scans him from head to toe then back up again. “Move or your alcoholic lowlife excuse of a mother is next, Asher Westbrooke.”

Ash hesitates for a second but then steps to the side as he clenches his fists.

We watch as Franklin gets into the passenger seat of a black Rolls-Royce that pulls up with Conrad behind the wheel. Franklin rolls down his window and both men look at us.

“That boy of yours sure has a tight ass. It was like fucking him for the first time all over again. Too bad his dick never grew past five inches.” A maniacal laugh comes from both before they speed away.

I see Matt and Ryder run after them, but they sway as the earth tilts. My knees hit the hard concrete as a pained sob escapes my lips.

How could I let this happen?

Another painful cry wracks my chest as Conrad’s words filter through my head again.

“I’m going to be sick,” I say a second before expelling the contents of my stomach in the grass next to me.

“You’re okay man.”

I don’t know who says that, but I can feel all three of them around me.

“He…he was raped. He never said anything. And then again tonight-”

“We’ll find him. I don’t plan on resting until he’s back in our condo,” Ryder’s stern, confident voice cuts off the images that are playing in my head.

“Neither are we. We’ve got your back.” I look up through watery eyes and see Matt and Asher holding out their hands.

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